Sugar recognition by C3-symmetric oxazoline hosts

C3-Symmetric tris(oxazoline) derivatives (2S,2R) were designed to complex sugars and alcohols in nonpolar organic solvent through complementary intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions. 1H NMR titration demonstrated that the C3-symmetric hosts were capable of anomer-selective recognition for n-octyl-d-glucopyranoside. 1H NMR data revealed intermolecular hydrogen bonds between 2S and glucopyranosides.